Weigh basket



Nov. 16 1926.

F. L. FLEMING WEIGH BASKET Filed Nov. 50. 1923 INVENTOR i atented Nov 16, 1926.

stares i .11. rl'SYLVAhTIA.

aranr Id. 311133111136, OF CARRZGK BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO PHILLIPS IZILL S'UEPLY 00., OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A. COBPORATIGN F W'EIGH BASKET.

Application filed November 30, 192 3. Serial No. 677,906.

The present invention relates to weighbasl'cts for weighing coal as is discharged the mine cars, and more particularly to 'i-baskets having means for gradually 111$ *ging the coal therefrom.

Where the coal is discharged directly from a weighbasket onto a screen, and particularly onto a screen of the bar type, over which the coal slides by gravity, it is desirable that the coal be gradually discharged onto the screen instead of being dumped onto the screen a batch charge. The coal when dumped onto the screen in a batch charge tends to slide over the screen without proper separation of the slack from lump coal, whereas, if the coal is fed to the screen gradually in a stream, it is spread out thin enough so that the slack has a chance to fall through the screen bars.

in m c-o-pending application, Serial No. 677,905, filed of even date herewith, I have disclosed a weigh-basket and power-driven conveyor carried thereby for gradually discharging the coal from the weigh-basket hopper.

By the present invention I propose to accomplish this desirable result by providing the weigh-basket hopper with a movable bottom having power-driven means associated therewith for gradually withdrawing the bottom to permit the coal in the hopper to discharge onto the screen which extends directly beneath the hopper.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for purposes of illustration only, one embodiment of my invention, it being understood that the drawings do not define the limits of the invention, as changes may be made in the construction and operation therein disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of my broader claims.

In the drawings, the figure is a side elevation of a portion of a coal tipple showing a weighbasket embodying my invention associated therewith.

The frame work of the tipple is designated in the drawings by the reference numeral 2, and the tilting portion of the car tracks extending from the mine onto the tipple by the reference numeral 3, a mine i being shown in position on the tracks.

The tipple frame work carries hangers which are connected by links 6 with weighing mechanism 7. Hanger rods 8 are connected at their upper ends to the weighing mechanism and extend through transverse beams 9. The beams 9 support longitudinally extending beams 10,.from the rear ends of which extend vertical members 11.

The beams 9 and 10 and members 11 carry the weigh-basket hopper 12. The hopper has a forwardly inclined rear end wall 13 and a vertical front wall 1 1. The bottom of the hopper is formed by a horizontal sliding plate 15 provided with a rack 16 with which meshes a pinion 17. The pinion 17 is driven through reduction gearing by an electric motor 18 adapted to be supplied with current from line wires 19 through the usual switch 20. The motor and reduction gearing insure a gradual withdrawal of the sliding plate closure 15. The gradual movement of the closure plate is inherent in the mechanism and is not dependent upon any careful manipulation by the operator.

The usual inclined screen 21 is arranged to extend directly beneath the hopper, whereby when the bottom-plate 15 is with-- drawn, the coal in the hopper will fall by gravity directly onto the screen.

The operation of the weiglrbasket will be apparent. After the coal from the cars is dumped into the hopper and weighed, the operator will start the motor 18 in a direction to move the plate 15 rearwardly. As the plate is gradually withdrawn, the coal will gradually discharge by gravity from the hopper onto the inclined screen.

By making the means for insuring the gradual discharge of the coal from the weigh-basket a part of the weigh-basket itself, the top of the screen can be brought up directly beneath the weigh-basket, giving the maximum economy in vertical space.

The provision of a movable bottom for the weigh-basket with power-driven means for moving the same, insures a gradual discharge of the coal from the hopper onto the screen and obviates any possibility of the coal being discharged en masse onto the screen and consequently not receiving proper screening.

While I have specifically illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to its illustrated embodiment but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a Weigh-basket for coal or the like, a hopper having a discharge opening, a closure for said opening, a screen positioned to receive coal discharged from the hopper, and means for gradually Withdrawing said closure to insure a gradual discharge of the coal from the hopper to the screen, substantia i as described.

2, in a Weigh-basket for coal or the like a hopper having a discharge opening in its bottom, a slide plate closing said opening. a screen positioned to receive coal discharged from the hopper, and means for gradually moving said slide plate to gradually open the discharge opening to insure a gradual discharge of the coal from the hopper to the screen, substantially as described.

3. The combination With'a Weigh-basket having a horizontal movable bottom closure,

of an inclined screen positioned directly be neath said bottom closure and power-driven means for gradually Withdrawing said bottom closure to gradually discharge the coal from the Weigh-basket onto the screen sub-- stantially as described.

l. In a Weigh-basket for coal or the like, a Weigh-frame adapted to move when properly Weighted, a hopper mounted thereon having a discharge opening,-a closure for said opening, means for gradually moving said closure to insure a gradual discharge of material from the hopper, and driving means for moving the closure the driving means being mounted on the Weigh-frame aiiclniovable with the same, the power connection between the closure and the driving means not being affected by movement of the Weigh-frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 1

FRANK L. FLEMING. 

